Jumped up and down in excitement.
Oh yes, I did. I literally jumped up and down. And when my father found out what I was doing, a big smile crossed his face, for good reason.
After a few e-mails back and forth (with a little influence from Amy Tenderich), and a long phone conversation, I snagged an invitation to be part of the American Heart Association‘s Connected Council in October 2009 to consult on (what was then) “The Heart of Diabetes” project of that organization. That included a trip to Dallas and to the AHA headquarters, all expenses paid along with an honorarium.
For someone who, at the age of seventeen, watched her father in the midst of a heart attack and then undergo quadruple bypass surgery, well before type 2 diabetes came into the picture for either one of us, it was a true honor to be able to see where the inner workings of such a significant organization for the lives of people with heart disease. (Especially where they talk the talk AND walk the walk.)
While my voice seemed tiny next to Amy, Scott Johnson, and Sean Kelley while at the meeting in Dallas, I found that type 2 diabetes/heart disease advocacy voice growing a bit stronger in the weeks that followed with videos for the project and with follow-up conference calls. Unfortunately, between some funding cuts and that major health crisis of mine, my involvement did not last very long. (It was short but sweet…no pun intended).
P.S. Sean Kelley has got to be THE foodie of all foodies who happen to have diabetes. Just saying.
That’s so cool!! What a great thing to be a part of! :)
Every voice is important, even the tiny voice.
I agree with Colleen, every voice is important- a lot of tiny voices become one giant voice.
I agree with Colleen and Kelly every voice is important.
There will be more opportunities in the future, sis. You just wait and see.
Very cool experience. Thank you for sharing it :-)
What an honor to be part of something like that. And your voice is just as important as anyone else’s!
I remember when you were involved in that. A very cool opportunity!